ન્યૂયોર્ક સિટીએ ગયા અઠવાડિયે નવા નિયમો લાગુ કર્યા હતા, જેનાથી ટૂંકા ગાળાના રેન્ટલની દેખરેખ થઈ શકે છે. આ નિયમો હવે યજમાનોને 30 દિવસથી ઓછા સમય માટે તેમના ઘર ભાડે લેતી વખતે શહેરમાં નોંધણી કરાવવાનું ફરજિયાત બનાવે છે. AAHOA એ કાયદાને સમર્થન આપતું નિવેદન બહાર પાડ્યું છે.
5 સપ્ટે.ના આ નિયમ હેઠળ, Airbnb, Vrbo અને Booking.com જેવા પ્લેટફોર્મને પ્રોસેસિંગ ફી પહેલાં હોસ્ટની નોંધણીની મંજૂરીની પુષ્ટિ કરવી જરૂરી છે. ભાડાની સૂચિની નોંધણી કરવામાં નિષ્ફળ થવાથી આ પ્લેટફોર્મ્સ માટે પ્રતિ ટ્રાન્ઝેક્શન $1,500 સુધીનો દંડ થઈ શકે છે, જ્યારે યજમાનોને પોતાને $5,000 સુધીના સંભવિત દંડનો સામનો કરવો પડે છે.
ધ મેયરની ઑફિસ ઑફ સ્પેશિયલ એન્ફોર્સમેન્ટનો સ્થાનિક કાયદો 18 અમલીકરણનો પ્રારંભિક તબક્કો બુકિંગ પ્લેટફોર્મ સાથે સહયોગ કરવા પર ધ્યાન કેન્દ્રિત કરશે, જેના લીધે તેઓ શહેરની વેરિફિકેશન સિસ્ટમનો ઉપયોગ કરે, તમામ ચકાસણી યોગ્ય રીતે થાય અને પ્લેટફોર્મ્સ વણચકાસાયેલ વ્યવહારોની પ્રક્રિયા કરવાનું બંધ કરે.” એમ OSE ની વેબસાઇટે જણાવ્યું હતું.
AAHOA એ દેશભરમાં ટૂંકા ગાળાના ભાડાની વધુ મજબૂત દેખરેખ માટે સતત હિમાયત કરી છે, તે એક નિવેદનમાં જણાવે છે. આ વર્ષની શરૂઆતમાં અરકાનસાસમાં, AAHOA સભ્યો દ્વારા હિમાયતને પગલે સ્થાનિક સરકારોને વાજબી નિયમો ઘડવાથી પ્રતિબંધિત કરવાનો કાયદો રાજ્યની વિધાનસભામાં પડતો મૂકાયો હતો.
AAHOAના પ્રમુખ અને CEO લૌરા લી બ્લેકે જણાવ્યું હતું કે અમે બિન-રજિસ્ટર્ડ ટૂંકા ગાળાના ભાડાને સંબોધવામાં ન્યુ યોર્ક સિટી સરકારની કાર્યવાહીને સ્વીકારીએ છીએ. યજમાન અને પ્લેટફોર્મને જવાબદાર રાખવાથી મહેમાનો અને રહેવાસીઓ માટે અનુભવોમાં સુધારો થશે." "ન્યુયોર્કમાં AAHOA હોટેલીયર સભ્યો વાર્ષિક કુલ કરમાં $6.6 બિલિયનનું યોગદાન આપે છે તે જોતાં, લગભગ $7 મિલિયન એકલા લોજિંગ ટેક્સ સાથે, અમે પ્રારંભિક દંડ માળખાને સમર્થન આપીએ છીએ. જો કે, ઉચ્ચતમ સ્તરનું પાલન સુનિશ્ચિત કરવા માટે, વધુ કડક દૈનિક દંડ પણ હોઈ શકે છે. આ પગલું ઉદ્યોગના ક્ષેત્રને સ્તર આપશે, ખાસ કરીને એવા યજમાનો માટે કે જેઓ અનધિકૃત અથવા ગેરકાયદેસર સૂચિઓ પોસ્ટ કરે છે, અને ખાસ કરીને તેવા પ્લેટફોર્મ્સ માટે કે જેઓ આ અનરજિસ્ટર્ડ સૂચિઓમાંથી નોંધપાત્ર રીતે નફો મેળવે છે."
"અત્યાર સુધી, ઓનલાઈન શોર્ટ ટર્મ વેકેશન રેન્ટલ પ્લેટફોર્મ્સ ન્યૂયોર્ક સિટીમાં હોટલની જેમ જ ટેક્સ અને નિયમનકારી જરૂરિયાતો વિના લોજિંગ બિઝનેસ ચલાવતા હતા," એમ AAHOA ચેરમેન ભરત પટેલે જણાવ્યું હતું. "આ પ્રકારનું પગલું હવે ઉદ્યોગને વધારે સમાન તક પૂરી પાડે છે, જે નાના વેપારી હોટલના માલિકોને વધુ નિષ્પક્ષ રીતે સ્પર્ધા કરવાની મંજૂરી આપે છે. અમે યુનાઇટેડ સ્ટેટ્સમાં સૌથી વધુ મુલાકાત લેવાયેલા સ્થળોમાંના એકમાં આ ધોરણ સેટ કરવા બદલ ન્યૂયોર્ક સિટીની પ્રશંસા કરીએ છીએ અને અન્ય વિસ્તારોને શોર્ટ ટર્મ રેન્ટ માટે યોગ્ય દેખરેખ અમલમાં મૂકવા માટે પ્રોત્સાહિત કરીએ છીએ."
ઓગસ્ટમાં, AAHOAએ વિક્રેતા ડિસ્કાઉન્ટને લગતા કરારના ઉલ્લંઘન માટે ચોઈસ હોટેલ્સ ઈન્ટરનેશનલ સામે આર્બિટ્રેશનના ચુકાદા પર ભાર મૂક્યો હતો. આ વ્યાપક હોટેલ ફ્રેન્ચાઈઝીંગ સુધારાની જરૂરિયાત પર ભાર મૂકે છે, જેને AAHOA તેના 12 પોઈન્ટ્સ ઓફ ફેર ફ્રેન્ચાઈઝીંગ દ્વારા સક્રિયપણે અનુસરી રહ્યું છે.
House introduces AFA to boost franchise model and hotel operations.
The act establishes a joint employer standard.
AHLA backs the bill, urging swift adoption.
THE HOUSE Of Representatives introduced the American Franchise Act, aimed at supporting the U.S. franchising sector, including 36,000 franchised hotels and 3 million workers nationwide. The American Hotel & Lodging Association, backed the bill, urging swift adoption to boost the franchise model and clarify joint employer standards.
The AFA amends the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act, which since 2015 have created uncertainty for franchisors and franchisees, AHLA said in a statement.
Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Oklahoma) and Don Davis (D-North Carolina) introduced the AFA.
“Hotel franchising is a pathway to the American Dream for many entrepreneurs,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO. “It is a proven win-win business model that enables partnerships between franchisees and franchisors. The American Franchise Act codifies a clear joint employer definition and is essential to protecting this framework.”
AFA aims to protect the franchise model, which has long enabled women and minority entrepreneurs to run their own businesses with support from larger brands, the statement said. It will clarify the employment relationship by establishing a joint employer standard that protects workers and preserves franchisee autonomy.
Mitch Patel, AHLA board chair and Vision Hospitality Group CEO, said that as a hotel franchisee, he has seen how the model enabled him and others to achieve the American Dream.
“Throughout my career, my hotel business has employed thousands of people who have built lifelong careers in our industry,” he said. “The American Franchise Act is essential to preserving this foundation. For the benefit of both employers and employees, we strongly encourage the swift passage of this critical legislation.”
"As one of the few franchisees in Congress, I understand how damaging an ever-changing joint-employer rule is to the franchise business model,” said Hern. “I'm pleased that we were able to come together in a bipartisan effort to create legislation that safeguards small businesses and individuals working to achieve the American Dream across the country."
Davis said changes to joint-employer rules have created prolonged uncertainty in the industry.
“The American Franchise Act aims to restore stability by clarifying that franchisors and franchisees operate as independent employers while safeguarding workers through established labor standards,” he said.
Separately, a petition for a referendum on Los Angeles’s “Olympic Wage” ordinance, which sets a $30 minimum wage for hospitality workers by the 2028 Games, fell short of signatures. The ordinance will take effect, raising hotel wages from $22.50 to $25 next year, $27.50 in 2027 and $30 in 2028.
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A PETITION FOR a referendum on Los Angeles’s proposed “Olympic Wage” ordinance, requiring a $30 minimum wage for hospitality workers by the 2028 Olympic Games, lacked sufficient signatures, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar. The ordinance will take effect, raising hotel worker wages from the current $22.50 to $25 next year, $27.50 in 2027 and $30 in 2028.
Mandatory health care benefits payments will also begin in 2026.
The L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress sought a referendum to repeal the ordinance, approved by the city council four months ago. The petition needed about 93,000 signatures but fell short by about 9,000, according to Interim City Clerk Petty Santos.
The council approved the minimum wage increase for tourism workers in May 2023, despite opposition from business leaders citing a decline in international travel. The ordinance requires hotels with more than 60 rooms and businesses at Los Angeles International Airport to pay workers $30 an hour by 2028. It passed on a 12 to 3 vote, with Councilmembers John Lee, Traci Park and Monica Rodriguez opposed.
The L.A. Alliance submitted more than 140,000 signatures in June opposing the tourism wage ordinance, triggering a June 2026 repeal vote supported by airlines, hotels and concession businesses.
AAHOA called the ruling a setback for Los Angeles hotel owners, who will bear the costs of the mandate.
"This ruling is a major setback for Los Angeles' small business hotel owners, who will shoulder the burden of this mandate," said Kamalesh “KP” Patel, AAHOA chairman. "Instead of working with industry leaders, the city moved forward with a policy that ignores economic realities and jeopardizes the jobs and businesses that keep this city's hospitality sector operating and supporting economic growth. Family-owned hotels now face choices—cutting staff, halting hiring, or raising rates—just as Los Angeles prepares to host millions of visitors for the World Cup and 2028 Olympics. You can't build a city by breaking the backs of the small businesses that make it run."
Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO, said members are proud to create jobs in their communities, but the ordinance imposes costs that will affect the entire city.
“Even with a delayed rollout, the mandate represents a 70 percent wage increase above California's 2025 minimum wage,” she said. “This approach could remove more than $114 million each year from hotels, funds that could instead be invested in keeping workers employed and ensuring Los Angeles remains a competitive destination. The mandate increases the risk of closures, layoffs and a weaker Los Angeles."
A recent report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association found Los Angeles is still dealing with the effects of the pandemic and recent wildfires. International visitation remains below 2019 levels, more than in any other major U.S. city.
India-based TBO will acquire U.S. wholesaler Classic Vacations for up to $125 million.
The deal combines TBO’s distribution platform with Classic’s advisor network.
Classic will remain independent while integrating TBO’s global inventory and digital tools.
TRAVEL BOUTIQUE ONLINE, an Indian travel distribution platform, will acquire U.S. travel wholesaler Classic Vacations LLC from Phoenix-based The Najafi Cos., entering the North American market. The deal is valued at up to $125 million.
Gurugram-based TBO is led by co-founders and joint MDs Gaurav Bhatnagar and Ankush Nijhawan.
“We’re thrilled to bring Classic Vacations into the TBO family – the company’s longstanding delivery of services has earned the trust of more than 10,000 travel advisors in the U.S. and their end customers, making Classic Vacations a seamless fit for our vision in the travel and tourism industry,” said Bhatnagar. “Classic Vacations is led by a strong team and will continue as an independent brand while leveraging TBO’s technology and distribution capabilities to grow its business.”
Classic Vacations reported revenues of $111 million and an operating EBITDA of $11.2 million for the financial year ending Dec. 31, 2024, the companies said in a joint statement. The company has a network of more than 10,000 travel advisors and suppliers.
The acquisition combines TBO’s distribution platform with Classic’s advisor network to strengthen their position in the outbound market, the statement said. Classic will continue as an independent brand while integrating TBO’s global inventory and digital tools.
Nijhawan said the acquisition furthers TBO’s investment in organic and inorganic growth.
“As we begin integrating Classic Vacations with TBO, we will remain open to similar strategic alliances going forward,” he said.
Classic Vacations was acquired from Expedia Group by The Najafi Cos. in 2021.
“This acquisition and partnership are a natural next step for our portfolio company Classic Vacations, and we’re happy to have worked successfully with them for the last four years, maximising the company’s strengths and expertise in luxury travel,” said Jahm Najafi, founder and CEO, The Najafi Companies.
Moelis & Co. LLC was the financial adviser and Ballard Spahr LLP the legal adviser to Classic Vacations. Cooley LLP served as legal adviser and PwC as financial and tax adviser to TBO.
AHLA Foundation is partnering with ICHRIE and ACPHA to support hospitality education.
The collaborations align academic programs with industry workforce needs.
It will provide data, faculty development, and student engagement opportunities.
THE AHLA FOUNDATION, International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education and the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration work to expand education opportunities for students pursuing hospitality careers. The alliances aim to provide data, faculty development and student engagement opportunities.
Their efforts build on the foundation’s scholarships and link academics to workforce needs, AHLA said in a statement.
"We're not just funding education—we're investing in the alignment between academic learning and professional readiness," said Kevin Carey, AHLA Foundation president and CEO. "These partnerships give us the insights needed to support students and programs that effectively prepare graduates to enter the evolving hospitality industry."
ACPHA will provide annual reports on participating schools’ performance, enabling the Foundation to direct resources to programs with curricula aligned to industry needs, the Foundation said.
Thomas Kube, incoming ACPHA executive director, said the partnership shows academia and industry working together for hospitality students. The collaboration with ICHRIE includes program analysis, engagement through more than 40 Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society chapters and faculty development.
“Together, we are strengthening pathways to academic excellence, professional development and industry engagement,” said Donna Albano, chair of the ICHRIE Eta Sigma Delta Board of Governors.
OYO’s parent firm, Oravel, rebranded as PRISM to reflect its global hospitality portfolio.
The rebrand emphasizes the group’s focus on technology and growth.
It added 150+ hotels to its U.S. portfolio in H1 2025, with 150 more planned by year-end.
ORAVEL STAYS LTD, the parent company of OYO, rebranded as PRISM to reflect its global presence and diversified portfolio. The new identity brings budget stays, hotels, vacation homes, extended living, co-working and event spaces under one structure.
OYO will remain the company’s consumer brand, while PRISM will serve as the corporate brand overseeing growth across 35-plus countries, the company said in a statement.
“Over 6,000 brilliant ideas came through and after careful consideration, one name shone above the rest: PRISM. PRISM isn’t just a name—it’s the evolution of everything we stand for,” wrote Ritesh Agarwal, founder and Group CEO of PRISM, on X. “From the trusted stays that OYO helped introduce, to a spectrum of experiences and spaces built for the future. It’s a community of Lightkeepers, urban innovators on a mission to solve the toughest challenges of city living—lighting the way in every aspect of life.”
Founded in 2012 by Ritesh Agarwal, OYO has since grown into a hospitality and travel-tech network with more than 100 million customers in 35-plus countries, the statement said. Its portfolio includes budget hotels under OYO, premium brands such as Townhouse, Sunday and Palette, vacation homes through Belvilla and DanCenter, extended stay residences under Studio 6 and workspace and event services via Innov8 and Weddingz.in.
Press Trust of India recently reported that OYO plans to file its Draft Red Herring Prospectus in November for a $7 to 8 billion IPO.
U.S. expansion
The company continues its franchise growth in the U.S., planning to add more than 150 hotels under Motel 6 and Studio 6 in 2025, the statement said. It also announced a $10 million marketing investment to drive customer adoption and expand website and My6 app capabilities.
Moreover, OYO also added more than 150 hotels to its U.S. portfolio in the first half of 2025 and plans to add 150 more by year-end.
OYO US operates OYO Times Square in Midtown Manhattan, near Times Square and Broadway. In Las Vegas, it operates OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas close to the Strip with access to entertainment and casinos.
The name PRISM was chosen through a global competition with more than 6,000 submissions and will now serve as the corporate identity for its portfolio. The rebrand highlights the group’s focus on technology and premium offerings.
“The transition to PRISM marks the establishment of a future-ready corporate architecture designed to align our expanding portfolio with our long-term vision,” Agarwal said “PRISM is powered by a strong technology engine, deeper investment in data science and AI and a commitment to helping our partners grow profitably while delighting customers worldwide.”
Partners also welcomed the move, noting the company’s role in helping independent hoteliers and asset owners scale.
“Over the past seven years with OYO, now PRISM, I’ve expanded from a single property to 18 hotels. The partnership has been transformative—the team’s support and expertise have driven consistent growth,” said Ramu Nayudu, owner of Hyderabad-based SV Hotels Group.
Sam Patel, Founder & CEO of Natson Hotel Group, said he has been part of G6 and PRISM for more than 20 years.
“While I own hotels with multiple other brands, more than 60 percent of my total portfolio is with G6 Hospitality,” he said. “I am excited for this new journey with PRISM and all the opportunities it will bring for asset owners in the U.S. and worldwide.”